Mr Cameron said the grants will be available to protect properties against future flooding.

He also said companies hit by the storms will be able to defer business rates, as well as other tax payments.

One of the areas hit in December was Bridlington.

The Independent Shellfishermen's Co-operative, which supports the area's fishermen, saw water wash through its warehouse and ruin stock.

Jo Ackers, the company's secretary, said the damage to stock, furniture and equipment was about £20,000.

"We are fortunate to be insured and have not had any problem with insurance yet," she said.

"There are some businesses on the seafront that don't have insurance and, like them, I would welcome any help at all. It will gratefully be accepted.

"I was wondering, though, if anything like this was offered when the region suffered flooding in 2007?"

The tidal surge along the Humber caused damage to 149 homes and 155 businesses in the Hull area.

In the East Riding, residents and businesses in Kilnsea, Hessle and Bridlington were among those affected.

Conservative MP Graham Stuart, who represents the Beverley and Holderness area, said: "Some homes and businesses flooded in Holderness only a few weeks ago, and I think it is only right that they should be able to call on the financial flooding relief that the Prime Minister has announced in Prime Minister's Questions.

"As soon as PMQs were over, I immediately made contact with the Department for Communities and Local Government.

"I highlighted the plight of East Yorkshire people left devastated after the December floods and that they need financial help to get back on their feet.

"Homes and businesses affected by the flooding in Hull and East Yorkshire in December must be eligible for the financial flooding relief promised today."

However, Hull North Labour MP Diana Johnson, has criticised the amount of time it has taken for the announcement of £5,000 grants for flood victims.

Speaking on the floor of the House of Commons, she asked Floods Minister Dan Rogerson: "I welcome the £5,000 that's been announced to households that have flooded but can the minister explain to people in Hull why it's taken two months for that announcement to be made and only after the playing fields of Eton have flooded?"

In response, Mr Rogerson said: "Ministers have been on the ground across the country at various events.

"I visited a community to talk about how it was affected during the East Coast flooding. The Secretary of State has also visited a number of communities."

2 comments

@mmadhatter
Got to agree. When we got flooded in 2007, the only people who gave a toss were the Local Lions who brought clean up packs to affected houses. We were without a floor in the living room for the thick end of a year & did not get a penny reduction in council tax.